Kalaburagi: An FIR has been filed against Manikantha Rathod, a prominent BJP leader, and four others by Madaboola Police for their alleged involvement in threatening sand tipper drivers. The incident occurred on Saturday when Abdul Hafiz and Abdul Rashid, both residents of Ranjola in Sedam taluk, were transporting sand with official permission.
As per their complaint to the police, the drivers were en route to Kalaburagi with two tippers when they were intercepted near Gundagurthi village in Chittapur taluk. The interceptors, purportedly sent by Manikantha Rathod, including Umesh Rathod and three others, accused the drivers of illegal sand transportation. The drivers were made to wait for approximately an hour, with the group claiming that their ‘boss’ would soon join them.
Later in the evening, Manikantha Rathod arrived at the scene and allegedly demanded that the tipper drivers supply him with four tippers of sand daily. He warned them that failing to comply would result in a payment of Rs 7 lakh.
Based on the complaint, Madaboola Police officers have initiated an FIR against Manikantha Rathod, Umesh Rathod, and the three others involved in the incident.
